Sample chapter from my book “Everybody Knows a Salesman Can’t Write a Book.”

I knew there would be at least one actual pastor in the crowd (and of course he ended up with a seat in the second row, just behind my wife, precisely in my line of vision).

The 5 silver bands that make up the bottom of the cup – the bands on which he engraved winning players’ names, one letter at a time - were individually coiled on the floor.

“If I hadn’t taken that leap I would have always regretted it and would have wondered what might have been.”

My deep dive into the service records of an officer in the Royal Navy led me to the surprising story of a British Mount Everest expedition.

“Billy, let’s grab a smoke.” I don’t smoke. Never have. It was Steve Johnston’s way of saying: Let’s go find a place where we can talk.

A perfectly true tale of Lancaster County cows, Rollerblade-selfies … and a spirit-boosting encounter with angels.

I’m normally a slow writer. This story flowed very quickly after I accidentally ended up at the original homespun memorial to flight 93, chicken wire, t-shirts and all.

I was surprised this piece didn’t get more attention when I originally posted it online. Although its title invites incredulity, this is a perfectly true story.

I was minding my own business, waiting to fly out of Baltimore one morning, when this happened. Much like the book I just have to write, this was a story I just had to tell. It quickly turned into my most-read piece to date.

I was born on the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. For a time I thought I would end my book with this quote from Winston Churchill. It’s still one of my favorites.

With insights from writers Michael Lewis and A.J. Liebling - 2 very interesting people in their own right.

Even France’s Deuxieme Bureau in 1940 understood that information has a shelf life, and that its value and sensitivity decay over time.

… in this case, the story of Gracie Somerset Whiteside.